Which of the following increases the likelihood that a patient will precipitate calcium-containing kidney stones?
- an increase in daily water intake
- an increase in daily sodium chloride intake
- a reduction in daily sugar consumption
- a reduction in daily protein consumption
- "normal" daily dairy product consumption
Answer: B
An increase in daily sodium chloride intake
The combination of high sodium intake and high animal protein intake will raise urinary calcium more than high calcium intake will. The reason is that only a net of 100 to 300 mg of calcium is absorbed from the intestine/day. In contrast, 10,000 mg of calcium is filtered and 9,700 to 9,900 mg is reabsorbed by the kidney. Since sodium and animal protein inhibit calcium reabsorption by the kidney, it is not surprising that they affect urinary calcium substantially.
Know Your Content Blueprint
Nephrolithiasis/urolithiasis is covered as part of the PANCE Genitourinary Blueprint
Review Topic: Nephrolithiasis/urolithiasis (ReelDx)